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The Crest at WIllow Wit building the connection between people and nature
Summer Camp Registration is now open!

Registration is open for our 2026 Nature Day Camp Season!

The Crest offers weekly summer camp sessions for students ages 6-11. Join us at Willow-Witt Ranch for a program immersed in volcanic geology, wetlands, and the organic farm. We will explore the quiet forests, hiking trails, and turtle pond at the 445-acre property.


An Adventure Week for Older Campers

Immerse your camper in four days and three nights of hands-on farm life, forest exploration, and joyful camp traditions. Our small-group overnight experience blends farm-to-table cooking (salads, breads, seasonal recipes), animal care (goat hikes, egg collection), nature art and journaling, team-building challenges, and evening programs with stargazing and songs. Kids will learn practical skills—while building confidence, leadership, and a deeper connection to the local landscape and wildlife (pollinator surveys, turtle and bird hikes, BioBlitz opportunities).


2025 Nature Day Camp

Reflections of Poetry Inspired by the Natural World:
An Expressive Writing Workshop

Sunday, May 17th, 1:30 PM – 4 PM

Join The CREST at Willow-Witt Ranch on Sunday, May 17, from 1:30 to 4:00 PM at Willow-Witt Ranch for a peaceful afternoon of nature journaling in collaboration with Elisa Friedlander, LMFT, founder of Ink To Insight, LLC. www.inktoinsight.com  

In this experiential workshop, we write in response to poetry and guided prompts, creatively designed to explore, honor, and deepen our relationships between nature and our inner worlds. 



6th Annual Turtle Trot

Saturday, June 6th

Join us at Willow-Witt Ranch for The Crest’s 7th Annual Turtle Trot—a true trail race with heart (and breakfast)! Choose the 5K or 10K on rolling single-track through meadows, wetlands, oak woodlands, and native conifer forest, or bring the whole family for a joyful Fun Run for all ages.

2026 Crest Fest!

Sunday, July 12th 1pm – 6pm

Join us for another epic afternoon filled with fun for the whole family!

Come and support the Crest with a fun filled afternoon of good music, dancing, great food and wonderful people. Enjoy the entertainment, and explore Willow-Witt Ranch.

All event proceeds support the Crest’s mission to cultivate the integral connection between humans and the natural world.

More information, schedule of events and where to purchase tickets, coming soon!


Registration is open for Spring 2026 and Fall 2026.





GoFundMe

for

Karma and Pippa




The Crest is excited to announce the development of our new Community Workshops Program! We are cultivating a space where community members have the opportunity to guide fun and interesting learning experiences up at Willow-Witt Ranch.

If you’re interested in learning more about the possibilities of hosting a workshop please fill out our class proposal form so that we can co-create together!


Cultivating the connection between people and nature

The Crest is an educational non-profit organization based at Willow-Witt Ranch, in the mountains of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument east of Ashland, Oregon. Through self-guided tours, public events, school programs, and summer camps, we help visitors of all ages explore their roles and responsibilities in our dynamic local ecosystems.

people hiking

Youth programs


YEAR-AROUND LEARNING, FUN
& ADVENTURE

We have a variety of programs for schools, community groups, and families to come and experience The Crest. Whether one night at our campground or summer day camps for school-age children, there’s plenty to explore, learn and enjoy.

Explore Willow-Witt Ranch from home!

Join our Education Coordinator for an interactive, fun and fact-filled journey through the forest, wetland and farm at Willow-Witt Ranch. Meet the birds, try a new recipe, learn from Beatrice (our most famous turtle) and more!

THE CREST

Events & activities

Event proceeds at Willow-Witt Ranch go to The Crest to help fund the non-profit organization and its programs. Featuring live music, farm dinners, open barn days and more. Come support a good cause and have a fun family-friendly time!

SOME HISTORY

About the land

We acknowledge that the Shasta, Upland Takelma, Latgawa and Athabaskan peoples stewarded these lands for millennia. We also acknowledge the intergenerational trauma caused by their forcible removal from their ancestral lands. The people whose ancestors lived on this land are now citizens of The Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Indians, The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, or The Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde.

The latest news…

Enjoying the Spring and planning for Summer

With Volunteer Stewardship days, Expressive Writing, Turtle Trot, Outdoor Nature Summer Camp, CREST Fest, Moth Night, Petals…

We are ready for a great new year!

See what exciting events and activities we have lined up for 2026! This year is already off to a great start with intensive…